TBL 41 Latest:
There’s been many an hour spent checking and rechecking the text these past few days and the final few pages of design are underway. Mick Lowe at StudioMix has done another fantastic job in bringing it all alive.
Many thanks to all those who have re-subscribed in the past few days. An email has gone out to target all lapsed subscribers to remind them that now is the time to get back on board for issues 41, 42 and 43.
Just to reiterate:
IMPORTANT
Firstly if you have been a previous TBL …

ANNOUNCING DETAILS OF THE FORTHCOMING TBL ISSUE 41:
Here’s the line up for the forthcoming issue of the Tight But Loose magazine – issue 41…
TBL World Exclusive – new interview with John Paul Jones:
JPJ  talks opera, Led Zep reissues, 60s sessions, plans ahead and more in this exclusive new interview with Dave Lewis
A TBL catch up with Mr John Paul Jones has been long overdue so it was delight to hear his dulcet tones down the phone line on a recent spring Thursday morning. This interview can only be found in TBL …

TBL 41 UPDATE: 
Full details of the forthcoming TBL issue 41 will be announced this afternoon May 6 at 3pm GMT… 
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Prince 1958 – 2016:

Just as last week’s TBL website update was being posted, the shocking and sad news that Prince had passed away aged 57 came through.
Another musical legend’s light has gone out…
The music of Prince defined the 1980s -brash, uncompromising, flashy, full of colour and excess.
His music first came to my notice in 1983. This was when I was ensconced in music retail. The Warner Brothers rep who called on the record store …

Presence at 40:
40 years ago this week, Presence, the seventh Led Zeppelin album was released worldwide. To mark the occasion, here is a Then and Now perspective I collated for last year’s reissue – 40 years on it’s still the true heart and soul of the Led Zep catalogue…
Presence…Then:
For me personally, the Presence album is and always be tangibly associated with my own circumstances of the time. Playing out my own soap opera, as an impressionable 19 year old caught up in my first love affair played out to the soundtrack of the new Led …

Jimmy Page & The Yardbirds 1966 – 1968 feature in new issue of Record Collector:
This from the new issue of Record Collector out March 24:
50 years ago this summer, Jimmy Page joined The Yardbirds for what would be a turbulent final two year spell. During that period the seeds of Led Zeppelin’s future success was already being sown as Dave Lewis reveals…
On the evening of Saturday, 30 July 30, 1966, all over the country celebrations were underway to mark England’s famous World Cup victory – that afternoon Bobby Moore and co …

Robert Plant to perform at Meltown Festival:  
This one via Robert’s official website…
On  June 17th, Robert will join other musicians in an all-day event addressing the refugee crisis as part of Meltdown festival.
He’ll perform during The Boat We’re In, a concert to launch Refugee Week at Southbank Centre in London. Mercury Award-nominated Nick Mulvey and singer-songwriter Nadine Shah will also take part, along with 2016 Meltdown director Guy Garvey. The concert, will also include Southbank Sinfonia and choirs.
Tickets will be on sale to Southbank Centre members on March 16 at 10am, …

Jimmy Page presents John Davis with the Mastering Engineer of the Year Award:
Lots of coverage for this much deserved accolade for John Davis – this one via the Metropolis website:
Metropolis Studios is celebrating today after internationally acclaimed Mastering Engineer, John Davis, was awarded Mastering Engineer of the Year at last night’s glittering Music Producers Guild (MPG) Awards at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London. John’s award was presented by legendary Jimmy Page, who he has worked with closely on several projects over the years, including the mastering of Led Zeppelin‘s …

 
Chris Charlesworth: Retirement? What retirement?…
His popularity has never waned…
On Friday, Chris Charlesworth editor in chief at Omnibus Press and former journalist on the Melody Maker, retires from his Omnibus role full time – however, he will be staying as a consultant based at home (more on that later.)
I personally have a lot to thank Chris for.
Back in 1989, he took a punt on commissioning a book about Led Zeppelin that focused on their music at a time when their standing, surprising as it seems now,was hardly guaranteed to bring in the sales.
The book was Led Zeppelin A Celebration …

John Paul Jones on the occasion of his 70th Birthday:
John Paul Jones is 70 today (January 3)…
Throughout the past 12 months, John has again moved effortlessly between differing projects and collaborations –  and along the way, there was continued work on his opera project which may well see the light of day this year.
He remains the consummate musician – his work within Led Zeppelin and without, has constantly produced moments of sheer genius – to mark this landmark birthday, together with Richard Grubb, I have compiled a list in chronological order of …

Ian Fraser Kilmister 1945 – 2015:
“There is no easy way to say this. Our mighty, noble friend Lemmy passed away today after a short battle with an extremely aggressive cancer. He had learnt of the disease on December 26th, and was at home, sitting in front of his favourite video game from The Rainbow which had recently made its way down the street, with his family.
“We cannot begin to express our shock and sadness – there aren’t words.
“We will say more in the coming days, but for now, please, play …